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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rod Hamilton (R)

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REP. HAMILTON: DNR TO STOP MAPPING PRIVATE DITCHES UNDER BUFFER LAW

Thursday, February 4, 2016

ST. PAUL – Farmers who were concerned about the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) exceeding its authority regarding Minnesota's buffer law received some welcome news recently, as Governor Dayton recently told the agency to stop mapping private ditches.

 

"For some reason the DNR interpreted this law the way it wanted and not as the legislature intended," Hamilton said. "Minnesota House leadership met with Governor Dayton to discuss the problem and after the meeting he instructed them to focus solely on public ditches."

 

Last session the House, Senate, and Governor Dayton reached an agreement stating that buffers of 16.5 feet must be installed on all public ditches by November of 2018.

 

But several months ago lawmakers learned that the DNR had begun mapping private ditches, which greatly exceeded the scope and intent of the compromise according to Hamilton.

 

"I'm pleased the governor held the DNR accountable and is forcing the department to follow the law as written," Hamilton said.